Aitor Karanka says he would be happy to work alongside a director of football at Nottingham Forest – but says no decision has been taken over whether a replacement for Frank McParland will be appointed.

McParland departed the City Ground a few days before Mark Warburton and David Weir, as the Reds hierarchy decided change was required, following a run of stuttering Championship form – and at a time when there was a disagreement over the club’s January transfer targets.

There was no director of football during Karanka’s time at Middlesbrough, as he guided them into the top flight.

But he says he would have no issues working alongside one at the City Ground, if that was the path the club hierarchy wished to go down.